A LIFE DEDICATED
TO SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OF MESSIAH JESUS WITH THE JEWISH PEOPLE
December 29, 1923 - May 16, 2014

This page highlights Ruth's involvement with
Camp Shoshanah and the Ariel Ministries Messianic Bible Study Program.
For a full biography and overview of her ministry, see the book and link at the bottom of
this page.

Ruth Wardell led the Children's
program at Camp Shoshanah Messianic Bible program in 1982.

“Ruth Wardell first came knocking on my
family's door in 1957 when I was living on Blake Avenue in the Van
Siclen section of Brooklyn, New York. She came in with a card in her
hand that had been filled out about six years earlier. Miss
Wardell's organization was a Jewish Christian group. In my mind, one
was either a Jew or a Christian. How could one be both? I concluded
that any Jew that believed in Christ had to be suffering from
schizophrenia. Since I was having trouble resolving this
contradiction I became angry.”Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum — Director of Ariel Ministries
Ruth would eventually lead Arnold to faith in Messiah Jesus and
become his first Bible teacher. In turn, Arnold would go on to Bible
College & Seminary and become a Bible Teacher to 2 generations of
Jewish & Gentile believers in Jesus, including hundreds in full-time
or lay leadership.

Camp Shoshanah 1982, waiting
for the Shabbat Dinner to begin. Ruth is at upper right, standing next
to Burl Haynie, the Teacher who introduced Arnold Fruchtenbaum to systematic
Bible study

Each Friday
evening at Camp Shoshanah we welcome Shabbat with the traditional
lighting of candles, as is done in countless Jewish homes. We modify
the usual prayer with text that honors Messiah. Ruth Wardell was an
honored guest in 1999 along with Ariel Board members.

Ruth Wardell & Dr.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum at Camp Shoshanah 2007.
It was through Ruth's ministry in Brooklyn in the 1950's
that a teenage Arnold came to faith in Messiah.

Emily is from a Jewish home in
Brooklyn and came to faith in Messiah through Ruth's ministry. Enjoying the lake
at Camp Shoshanah, 2007

Camp Shoshanah 2008. Ruth
Wardell with Mottel, Evelyn & Helen

Camp Shoshanah 2008. MaryAnn
Fruchtenbaum & Ruth Wardell, center front. At top center is Jeff Gutterman, he
would
go on to collaborate with Ruth Wardell in co-writing her biography, as seen
below.

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want to know more? get the book !

Biography of Ruth with the Truth
Wardellby Ruth Wardell and Jeffrey
Gutterman

Picture a beautiful patchwork quilt put together by good friends and
you will understand and welcome this intimate portrait of Ruth
Wardell, a passionate believer and friend of the Jewish people. Ruth
tells her story with the help of author Jeffrey Gutterman and photos
contributed for the special occasion of celebrating Ruth's life.
Following Ruth's life story is to follow developments in the
Messianic Jewish community that emerged during her lifetime from
just a few congregations to a worldwide phenomenon. She is credited
with leading Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum to faith in his Messiah, leading
to the founding of Ariel Ministries and an international Bible
teaching ministry and outreach to Jewish people.

At 90 years of age Ruth went home to be with the Lord on May 16,
2014. She was born in Wingham, Ontario Canada, December 29, 1923.
Ruth was the beloved daughter of Rev. Glen Wardell & Maude Heweston Wardell and beloved sister of Donald and Harold. She is
survived by her niece Margaret Wardell of Edmonton, Alberta and
nephew, Mark Wardell of Vancouver, B.C. and four great nieces and
nephews. Ruth graduated from London Bible College in 1945 and
attended the Child Evangelism Institute in Dallas, Texas, to further
her calling into children’s ministries. In 1946, Ruth went to New
York City to work with the American Board of Missions to the Jews
(now known as Chosen People Ministries) where God used her
background and education to reach out to children and adults alike,
beginning a missionary career which lasted over 50 years and
extended over several locations in the U.S. During her 27 years of
ministry in New York, Ruth had a tremendous impact on many young
people as she led Bible studies and ran camps and outreach meetings.
In the 1950’s Ruth had the privilege of teaching the scriptures to
an eager adolescent named Arnold Fruchtenbaum. Today, Dr.
Fruchtenbaum is an international Bible scholar and president of
Ariel Ministries in San Antonio, Texas.

In 1973, God
took Ruth’s ministry to Los Angeles where she led many training and
outreach meetings for senior adults and children, including
directing a summer Bible school for children for Jews for Jesus. In
1993, Ruth settled in Plano, Texas where she continued to be
involved in Messianic ministry, teaching children and women’s
studies. While in Texas, she developed a curriculum at Adat Shalom
Messianic Congregation, Dallas for preparing young Jewish believers
to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Ruth also served on the board of
directors for Sojourner Ministries in the Dallas area. In 2005 Ruth
also began teaching children’s classes at the Grace Evangelical
Chinese Church in Dallas. When Ruth went to Atria Canyon Creek
(formerly known as Franklin Park) she began a Bible study from the
Jewish perspective for the residents there and continued to minister
until almost 90 years of age! Ruth was affectionately known as “Miss
Wardell” and then later as “Ruth with the Truth” by all who knew and
loved her. God has given Ruth many sons and daughters in the faith.
She has been beloved as a mother, grandmother, mentor and friend by
countless individuals.

A visitation was held Wednesday, May 21,
2014 at Allen Family Funeral, Plano, Texas.
A graveside service was held Thursday, May 22, 2014 at Ridgeview West
Cemetery, Frisco, Texas with Rev. Steven Ger, officiating.

Many of her "kids", friends, and relatives
attended the funeral service. Steven Ger, whose family had a 68 year
history with Ruth Wardell, was able to warmly wave together all the
ways God used her effectively in ministry. Ruth appreciated when
things were done properly and in order and loved to have fun. The Homegoing service included the reading of Scripture verses (John
14:1-6) as well as singing songs and memorizing a Scripture verse,
Psalm 40:8. Scripture memorization was very important to Ruth. This
would have greatly pleased her.

This was followed by some who spoke about
her life. Steve Ger asked Robin Rose, congregational leader of Adat
Shalom Messianic Congregation, in Dallas, to speak and pray. John
Kanter, who knew Ruth for over 30 years also shared many aspects of
her life. Ruth's niece, Margaret paid tribute. Jeffrey Gutterman
also had an opportunity to share how thankful he was for the
dedication and love that Ruth demonstrated to the Jewish people
throughout her lifetime. Steven Ger then read a note from Chaim
Urbach, one of Ruth's kids, who now leads a Messianic Congregation
in Colorado.

Ruth had
requested that donations in her name be made to Ariel Ministries to
benefit Camp Shoshanah, PO Box 792507, San Antonio, Texas
78279-2507.

A Memorial Service was held on
August 9, 2014, officiated by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum. This allowed
a larger group of people to attend.